“The pagans had been accustomed to numerous and splendid ceremonies from their infancy, and they saw the new religion (Christianity) destitute of temples, altars, victims, priests, and all the pomp which the pagans supposed to be the essence of religion; for the unenlightened persons are prone to estimate religion by what meets the eyes.”
The answer is no. I’m sure that is surprising to many. The reason why is that the principles of the institutional church is based on the customs and traditions of man that are rooted in idolatry. For most, this is not apparent because their eyes are blinded from years of false teaching. You might be saying how can something that is supposed to be so good – be actually bad? It can if it is based on deception – courtesy of Satan who is the mastermind of deception. I think a prayer that no one can go wrong with, is to ask God to reveal His heart to you, and give you the strength and willingness to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. Our God is a very misunderstood God. That has been Satan’s plan all along. Our support of church organizations as incredulous as it sounds, is a betrayal at the very heart of what we have with Jesus Christ now.
We have one Teacher, one Master, one Instructor, and that is Jesus Christ. No one else is to be called such among believers. Why? Because Jesus Christ commanded it. Alright – let’s not get jest here – you and I both know that a Rabbi, a pastor, or a priest, fits in this command. Among believers, no one is to hold a title of preeminence among and over other believers.
But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. (Matt. 23:8-11).
The elders in the New Testament guide and led other believers in the community, but they did not hold any positions of authority over them. They did not hold titles of preeminence over other believers. When you read of the elders in the New Testament, they literally were older men who lived in the community, who were trustworthy and respected. They did not have an office, or exalt themselves in any way over other believers. They were the men who believers in the community (the Church) could go to anytime for guidance and directions. They did not have office hours on Monday thru Friday for a couple of hours daily. All believers were the church – 244/7. When you see the word “Church” in the NT, it is referring to all believers in the community – not organizations or buildings. What we call “church” in today’s vernacular did not exist when the New Testament was written.
Any time you allow another man or woman usurp Christ’s lordship over your life; you and that person is guilty of idolatry. The command from Jesus is pretty straight forward. Don’t think so? Read the above Scripture again. How can you not see this? It is actually quite simple and direct. The only reason you miss it, is because you do not want to see it. You are listening to your natural desires. Believers love this thing we call “church”. It makes us feel spiritual and good about ourselves. And church leaders are quite adept at fostering such feelings from us. What we call spirit, is actually the flesh.
What we call “church” promotes the idea that believers do not have direct access to God. Instead, they require a middle-man, a person to mediate their relationship with God. That man or woman, is called, the pastor, priest, reverend, etc. What does God have to say about this? Once again, it is quite clear and straightforward. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Jesus death did away with believers going inside a structure under the guidance of a “spiritual leader” in order to find God and worship Him. In the Old Testament, all who entered the temple were subjected to the authority of the High Priest – but through Jesus death, only He is the High Priest now, and we are all priests onto Him.
You know that the lords of the Gentiles have domination over them, and they that are great, exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. Matthew 20:25
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. Hebrews 7:12
God has made it abundantly clear, that He does not reside in temples made of human hands. Church buildings, organizations, and temples – they are idols that we attribute spiritual significance to. There is unholy alliance between the building itself, the things inside it, and the rituals and protocols required by those who enter it. God that made the world, and all things that are therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Acts 17:24. Although God repeatedly tells us in His Word that He does not reside in anything made with human hands, we refuse to believe Him.
As a matter of fact, we insist that He must be wrong. We are adamant that He needs our church building in order to properly worship Him. We still worship Him as the Jews did in the Old Testament, and refute the biblical fact that Jesus has replaced the temples of the past. We discount that Jesus clearly said that we are now in Him, and that we are as “living stones.” We insist God is more preeminent inside this thing we have built with our own hands – as oppose to outside of it. If you happened to say it’s the people inside the building that matters, than it is also true that it is the people outside the building that matters. We refuse to let go of the Old Covenant.
How did Israel in the Old Covenant worship God?
- (1) They built and maintained a temple/building.
- (2) They had a congregational meeting that had a repetitive in a format that started with praise and worship.
- (3) They made offerings and tithes.
- (4) Men were told they were required to enter the temple to worship God.
- (5) There was the High Priest who was in authority over those who entered.
Hmm, that sounds familiar…
The whole process, the church itself, and its rituals are seen as spiritual entities. We have been led to believe that the man or woman preaching up front, has a special anointing of the Holy Spirit, and that he or she must somehow know more spiritually than we do. No one can pass their anointing to another person – (a mystical concept) promoted by church leaders. We revere our church leaders – we idolize them. Many falsely assert that they are able to maintain a mystical “covering” over their followers – if you will, like an umbrella of protection. It is a false teaching. There are those who even believe that just by entering a church building or being among a crowd of believers, it will automatically produce or release some sort of anointing or protection over them. That is directly from a demonic spirit of mysticism and idolatry.
Church leaders know how to cater to this notion, by ensnaring believers into this mystical web of deception and convincing them that their needs can be met by attending their church. They are portrayed as the believer’s source, instead of Jesus Christ. It is their way of conveying and convincing the believer that they and their church organizations, are necessary in order to get God to operate on the believer’s behalf. Although they proclaim Jesus is the source, they tout themselves as the necessary source and first step to get Christ to move in their behalf. That is IDOLATRY. Such mysticism is not only on their part – but you are also culpable. Why? Because you have made a choice whether it’s based on ignorance or deception, to follow men over God.
Through Jesus death, we are to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. That is what God requires of us. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman that true worship of God does not depend upon a given place, but upon the right disposition of heart. Jesus said unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor at Jerusalem worship the Father. Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and Truth: for the Father requireth even such to worship him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and Truth. John 4:21-24
Going to church sends a message to the world that we are still under the law. We tell them we are free, but they clearly see that we are not. We tell them we are under grace, but they see us continue to operate under the law. They see the bondage we ourselves do not see, and they want no part of it. They see our God as one who requires us to do things, and engage in traditions in order for us to be accepted by Him. They see us dress up as the pagan worshipers of the past, because we convey to them a God who is shallow, legalistic, and mean. They see us pay a man or a woman to tell us what the Bible say, but who circumvent the word of God, and state they are in authority of other believers. They see us engage in the opposite of what the Bible tells us to do, and many conclude that our God is not the God of the Bible – or – even worse, does not exist..
It is nothing but idolatry to believe that being under a person with a religious title, or a building, or certain religious acts are required for our relationship with God. Jesus clearly tells us that when we are in contact with at least one other believer, that He is there as well. Nothing else is requited. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20 We refuse to accept God’s Word that Jesus through His death replaced all of these things – only because WE DO NOT WANT TO BELIEVE IT. This thing we call “church” is a counterfeit, and is from the kingdom of Satan.
Most believers want to do the will of God, and they have a desire to honor Him. However, the majority of what they believe is based in fear that has sprouted forth from error and false teaching. You cannot honor God if you are following men, and are still held captive in the law. Most believers think they have to enter a temple made with hands, to find God and worship Him inside it. How insulting must that be for Jesus Christ, who has clearly told us that He has replaced the temples of the past, and that we all now abide in Him. How insulting it must be to Jesus that we think we can buy Him off with our pagan worship practices. How insulting it must be to Jesus that we pay a man or woman to preach His Word to us, while rejecting the gift of grace and freedom He paid through His death. How insulting it must be that we say “no thanks” to His sacrifice on the cross, and still place ourselves under the dominion of man and the law. Sadly, most believers only have a religious relationship with God, and not a spiritual one.
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. Matthew15:8-9 8